Chapter Summaries

Xiao Ran stopped a fight among Britannian pilots by destroying their KFs with the Lancelot, then spoke with Euphemia about the Empire and Area 11. Euphemia asked him to become her personal knight, and he accepted after revealing his name as Lelouch Xiao.

• Xiao Ran overclocked the Lancelot and disabled every KF in the gymnasium without injuring the pilots.
• Euphemia ordered the pilots to stop fighting their comrades, and Lloyd arranged for help to arrive.
• Xiao Ran warned Euphemia that the Empire's policies could provoke rebellion and a worldwide war, while encouraging her to improve Area 11.
• Euphemia asked Xiao Ran to become her personal knight and work with her to change Area 11.
• Xiao Ran revealed himself as Lelouch Xiao, accepted Euphemia's invitation, and said he would protect her while refusing to act against his principles.

After Euphemia chose Xiao Ran as her Personal Knight, he accepted and prepared for the scrutiny that would follow, while Lloyd and Jeremiah investigated his overwhelming victory in the gymnasium. The chapter ended with Lloyd and Jeremiah reaching Xiao Ran’s hotel to question him about the battle and his piloting.

• Euphemia invited Xiao Ran to become her Personal Knight, and Xiao Ran accepted, though the appointment still required royal investigations and formal approval.
• Xiao Ran checked into a hotel and relied on his protected identity as Lelouch Xiao, an intelligence officer and the governor’s nephew, to withstand scrutiny.
• Lloyd, Jeremiah, Vireta, and the others reconstructed Xiao Ran’s battle at the gymnasium and concluded that he had destroyed the KFs in only a few attacks.
• Jeremiah decided to seek Xiao Ran and learn how to pilot a KF, while Lloyd chose to accompany him with questions of his own.
• Lloyd and Jeremiah located Xiao Ran’s hotel and knocked on his door.

Xiao Ran received Jeremiah, Vireta, and Lloyd, then used their requests to secure Jeremiah’s allegiance to Princess Euphemia and himself. Jeremiah became Xiao Ran’s disciple, while Xiao Ran and Lloyd left their plans for a new Knightmare Frame to discuss later.

• Jeremiah asked Xiao Ran how he had disabled the Knightmare Frames and requested training, but Xiao Ran challenged him to offer something in return.
• Lloyd invited Xiao Ran to help improve Lancelot or develop a new machine, and Xiao Ran said a new design would require rethinking its frame, armor, and weapons.
• Xiao Ran reminded Jeremiah that Euphemia wanted Butalians and Area 11 residents to coexist, and Jeremiah pledged his support to her.
• Xiao Ran accepted Jeremiah as his disciple and promised to teach him true piloting skills after his formal investiture.
• Jeremiah left with Vireta, leaving Xiao Ran and Lloyd alone to pursue their separate plans.

Jeremiah and Vireta committed to serving Euphemia, while Xiao Ran discussed plans for new mecha with Lloyd and offered him advanced technology. The chapter ended with Lloyd captivated by the projected designs and learning that their technology could let one unit face an entire force of Knightmare Frames.

• Jeremiah told Vireta he was leaving the Pure Blood Faction and would serve Euphemia, and Vireta chose to follow him.
• Jeremiah ordered his trusted subordinates to support Euphemia and carry out her requests.
• Xiao Ran asked Lloyd about Area 11’s ability to build seventh-generation and entirely new mecha, and Lloyd explained the limits of his authority and the resources required.
• Xiao Ran told Lloyd he intended to put an overlooked princess on the throne and could support two queens, while Lloyd said he would consider the side that advanced his goals and access to technology.
• Xiao Ran projected designs and technical data for five G Series mecha and a VF-17, and Lloyd eagerly examined the technology.

Xiao Ran recruited Lloyd to submit part of the G Series technology to the Empire and develop a new unit in Area 11, while planning to use the resulting support to build his own base. After Cornelia was injured in Area 19 and Euphemia became Area 11’s Governor, Xiao Ran was summoned to serve as her Personal Knight and realized a Participant Legion had already entered the conflict.

• Xiao Ran persuaded Lloyd to submit some G Series technology to the Empire and lead development of a new unit, with a three-month deadline.
• Xiao Ran planned to use the Empire’s support to bring Technicians, equipment, and supplies to Area 11 and keep them there.
• After learning that Lelouch had visited C.C., Xiao Ran went to sleep, but Jeremiah woke him with an urgent summons from Princess Euphemia.
• Jeremiah told Xiao Ran that Cornelia had been injured in an attack by a new resistance force in Area 19, and that Euphemia had been appointed Governor of Area 11.
• Xiao Ran recognized the resistance force as a Participant Legion, accepted his immediate duties as Euphemia’s Personal Knight, and changed into his uniform.

Xiao Ran arrived at the Governor's Mansion as Euphemia's newly appointed knight and faced the officials and nobles gathered there. After he struck and threatened a man who challenged his appointment, he left to meet Euphemia, having cowed the hall.

• Jeremiah gave Xiao Ran a sidearm and warned him that imperial intelligence personnel would likely monitor him.
• Xiao Ran and Jeremiah entered the locked-down Governor's Mansion, where officials and nobles watched Xiao Ran with suspicion.
• A young military officer insulted Xiao Ran and questioned his right to become Euphemia's knight.
• Xiao Ran slapped the officer across the hall, then warned everyone against defying or slandering Euphemia and threatened severe consequences.
• Vireta told Xiao Ran that Euphemia was waiting for him, and he left the hall with her.

Xiao Ran explained to Jeremiah that he planned to use Euphemia’s appointment to consolidate her authority and expose officials who would resist her. He encouraged the grieving Euphemia to take up her role as Governor, and the chapter ended with her asking to see his face beneath his mask.

• Xiao Ran told Jeremiah that the officials’ dissatisfaction did not matter as long as Euphemia secured control of Area 11, and he ordered Jeremiah to arrange separate meetings with department heads and gather intelligence on Area 19.
• Xiao Ran entered Euphemia’s room and found her grieving over Cornelia’s injury and her unexpected appointment as Governor.
• Xiao Ran reassured Euphemia that Cornelia could recover and urged her to show the officials that she could govern, promising to help her take control of Area 11.
• Xiao Ran persuaded Euphemia to go meet the officials by reminding her of their promise to make Area 11 more peaceful and equal.
• Euphemia touched Xiao Ran’s mask and asked him to take it off so she could see his face.

Euphemia assumed the governorship of Area 11 and named Xiao Ran her knight, spokesperson, and commander of her new Guard Force. Guildford arrived with Cornelia’s order to lead the force and punish Jeremiah, prompting Governor Moyasu to challenge his authority.

• Xiao Ran refused to remove his mask for Euphemia, and they went downstairs to meet the ministers.
• Euphemia addressed the ministers, took office as Governor of Area 11, and appointed Xiao Ran as her exclusive knight, spokesperson, and Guard Force commander.
• Guildford arrived on Cornelia’s behalf, claiming he would establish and lead Euphemia’s Guard Force.
• Jeremiah challenged Guildford’s authority, and Guildford mocked him and announced an imperial order demoting or dismissing him.
• Governor Moyasu argued that Guildford could not impose punishment in Area 11 without a formal Military Court review.

Euphemia rejected Guildford’s attempt to take control of her Guard Force and backed Xiao Ran as her knight and leader. Xiao Ran set out the next day’s agenda, then left with Jeremiah to discuss matters he had arranged.

• The Chief Justice and Lloyd challenged Guildford’s authority to interfere in Euphemia’s affairs, with Lloyd offering to recruit Jeremiah into the Special Dispatch Division.
• Euphemia told Guildford she would decide who led her Guard Force and trusted Xiao Ran to lead it and help manage Area 11.
• After Guildford departed, Xiao Ran announced Euphemia’s speech, departmental meeting, and garrison inspection for the next day.
• Xiao Ran explained to Euphemia why she needed to take the initiative, reassured her of his support, and assigned Vireta to serve as her temporary secretary and arrange her protection.
• Jeremiah told Xiao Ran that everything had been arranged, and Xiao Ran went with him to a conference room while assuring him that Euphemia’s support protected him from punishment.

Xiao Ran gathered Area 11's department heads and offered them a chance to gain influence, wealth, and possible fiefs if they supported Euphemia. He left them to decide whether they would sincerely follow her as she sought full control of Area 11.

• Xiao Ran entered the meeting room in Euphemia's place and told the department heads she had gone to rest.
• Xiao Ran urged the leaders to cooperate with Euphemia and noted who openly supported her and who stayed silent.
• Xiao Ran explained that Euphemia lacked experienced retainers and needed their help to stabilize and develop Area 11.
• Xiao Ran promised that loyal supporters could share in Area 11's prosperity, potentially administering fiefs and becoming city lords under Euphemia.
• Xiao Ran clarified that Area 11 would remain Euphemia's fief and asked the gathered leaders to make their final choice.

Xiao Ran secured the Area 11 officials’ pledge to serve Euphemia and began reorganizing Clovis’s former Guard Force under her command. The officials were ordered to submit detailed reports, while the Guard Force’s leaders were told to preserve its strength and prepare for changes.

• Xiao Ran won the officials’ support for Euphemia by offering titles and fiefs, then asked them to cooperate with her new policies and submit detailed reports.
• Jeremiah questioned Xiao Ran’s promises of titles and fiefs, and Xiao Ran explained that the rewards could help rebuild Area 11 and improve relations with its people.
• Xiao Ran ordered Jeremiah to assemble Clovis’s former Guard Force, then met its department heads at the Governor’s Mansion the next morning.
• Xiao Ran appointed himself commander of Euphemia’s Guard Force, offered Clovis’s former guards the choice to leave or pledge absolute loyalty, and none chose to leave.
• Xiao Ran ordered Jeremiah to organize the Guard Force’s records and directed Vireta to form a women-only division for Euphemia’s close protection.

Xiao Ran organized Clovis's Guard Force into Euphemia's personal unit and arranged for Vireta to help manage it. Euphemia thanked Xiao Ran for securing her political and military support, while he prepared to bring Saki, C.C., and Nanalie to the Governor's Mansion.

• Xiao Ran reassigned Clovis's Guard Force to Euphemia and selected female guards to protect her.
• Xiao Ran offered Vireta an administrative role, but she asked to remain with Jeremiah and manage the Guard Force; Xiao Ran agreed and planned for Saki to take over administration.
• Xiao Ran told Vireta to prepare three rooms and a helicopter so he could bring three women to the Governor's Mansion.
• When Guildford arrived seeking Euphemia, Xiao Ran arranged for her to meet him at the evening banquet, and Euphemia agreed.
• Euphemia welcomed Xiao Ran's reorganization of the Guard Force and thanked him for winning commanders' loyalty, giving her armed strength, and helping her stand up to Cornelia.

Xiao Ran and Euphemia reaffirmed their trust as she resolved to work alongside him to govern Area 11. Xiao Ran brought Nanalie, Saki, and a disguised C.C. to the Governor's Mansion, where Nanalie reacted to hearing Euphemia addressed as “Her Highness.”

• Euphemia told Xiao Ran she understood his actions and trusted him, and he promised not to let her down.
• Euphemia decided she would work with Xiao Ran rather than let him shield her or allow others to govern in her place.
• Xiao Ran left by helicopter and returned with Nanalie, Saki, and C.C., who was disguised as a maid.
• The mansion's housekeeper escorted them toward the dining room, where Euphemia was waiting.
• Nanalie stiffened at the housekeeper's reference to “Her Highness,” and Saki reassured her to trust her.

Xiao Ran introduced Nanalie, Saki Maski, and C.C. to Euphemia and established how they would live and work at the Governor's Mansion. Euphemia began her public duties as Governor of Area 11, while Saki and Xiao Ran organized the administration and reviewed its reports.

• Xiao Ran reassured Nanalie that her identity would remain secret and introduced her to Euphemia as his friend's younger sister.
• Xiao Ran introduced Saki Maski as Euphemia's new administrative officer and Guard Captain, and presented C.C. as his maid.
• Euphemia, Saki, and Nanalie ate breakfast together while C.C. had her meal separately, and Nanalie saved food for her.
• Xiao Ran warned the butler to care for Nanalie and Saki, then joined the convoy heading to the television station while Saki prepared Euphemia's speech.
• Euphemia gave a speech, met political, military, and civilian groups, and established her position as Governor of Area 11.
• Saki managed one copy of departmental reports for Euphemia, while Xiao Ran reviewed another and issued guidance to Area 11's departments.

After Euphemia returned to the Governor's Mansion, Xiao Ran advised her on building support and choosing a Deputy Governor, then prepared to assist Lloyd with the Lancelot. He told an anxious caller that Nanalie was safe with him and arranged to meet at their old home at two in the morning.

• Euphemia complained about her exhausting first day as governor, and Xiao Ran explained the work required to gain support and change Area 11.
• Saki Maski advised Euphemia to wait before granting titles and fiefs and to avoid giving noble titles to Area 11's native residents.
• Xiao Ran recommended Administrator Moyasu as Deputy Governor, and Euphemia agreed to appoint him at the dinner banquet.
• Xiao Ran told Saki to take over the Guard Force and declined to attend the banquet, saying he had promised to help Lloyd with the Lancelot.
• Xiao Ran contacted Administrator Moyasu to prepare him for the appointment and warn him to stand firm against Guildford.
• Xiao Ran reassured an anxious caller that Nanalie was safe and arranged to meet at their old home at two in the morning.

Xiao Ran met with Lloyd at the Council Hall to provide Lancelot’s combat parameters and share advanced technology for their next machine project. He left Lloyd with a three-month deadline and instructions to prepare a secure relocation for the research department.

• Xiao Ran entered the Specially Dispatched Research Department with Cecil and told Lloyd to finish Lancelot before beginning their new project.
• Xiao Ran entered conventional combat parameters for Lancelot and explained how to keep the machine balanced for different pilots.
• Xiao Ran recommended adding flight equipment and Energy Weapons to make better use of Lancelot’s energy and improve its combat ability.
• Xiao Ran gave Lloyd a Personal Terminal containing complete technical information and set deadlines of one week for Lancelot and three months for the new machine.
• Xiao Ran told Lloyd to prepare to relocate the department to a more secure site, where troops would guard the new project.

Xiao Ran reviewed Area 11’s records, identified signs of corruption and concealed military operations under Clovis, and drafted plans for Euphemia’s rule. He then told Lelouch how to reshape the Black Knights into a force that opposed oppression and resistance-group atrocities alike, ultimately standing above nations as guardians of world peace.

• Xiao Ran had Cecil seal Lloyd’s office so Lloyd could study Xiao Ran’s adjusted parameters and suggestions without interruption.
• Xiao Ran examined Area 11’s reports, inferred that Clovis had concealed military operations and other abuses, and prepared governance plans for Euphemia.
• Lelouch met Xiao Ran at the appointed time and questioned how he had gained access to Area 11’s confidential records and authority.
• Xiao Ran explained his role as Euphemia’s Personal Knight and said he would help her make Area 11 a special administrative zone while supporting Nanalie and Lelouch.
• Lelouch argued that Euphemia’s plan could undermine the Black Knights, so Xiao Ran urged him to present them as protectors against all oppression and atrocities.
• Xiao Ran told Lelouch to build the Black Knights into a force that would expand across Area 11 and eventually stand above all nations and factions in the name of justice.

Xiao Ran outlined his plan to turn the Black Knights into a powerful force devoted to protecting the weak and preventing war, arguing that they should recruit capable people and use GEASS to strengthen loyal members. Lelouch was shaken by Xiao Ran’s proposal to create a GEASS-using force but ultimately had little ability to oppose it.

• Lelouch questioned how the Black Knights could become an independent power, and Xiao Ran argued that they should pursue world peace rather than focus only on driving Britannia out of Area 11.
• Xiao Ran proposed finding capable recruits, using resources and GEASS to build the Black Knights, and discarding the Rebel Army if its members could not serve their larger goals.
• Lelouch considered Xiao Ran’s criticism of his plans and recognized that he needed a stronger relationship of command over the rebels.
• Xiao Ran revealed that GEASS could be bestowed on loyal, tested members, stunning Lelouch with the idea of creating a large force of GEASS users.
• Xiao Ran argued that widespread GEASS among loyal Black Knights would make individual users and potential traitors easier to control, while Lelouch warned that all GEASS users must remain under absolute control.

Xiao Ran advised Lelouch on shaping the Black Knights and arranged for Suzaku Kururugi to join his plans after releasing him from detention. The chapter ended with Xiao Ran appointing Suzaku his disciple and assigning him to the Special Administrative Zone to help with Lancelot’s final adjustments.

• Xiao Ran urged Lelouch to establish the Black Knights as a force that opposed Britannia’s tyranny without seeking to restore the destroyed country or sacrificing civilians.
• Lelouch said extremist Resistance Organizations were preparing to undermine Euphemia, and Xiao Ran planned to use their attack for the Black Knights’ debut.
• Xiao Ran told Lelouch that Suzaku Kururugi would be released the next morning and that he intended to make him an example.
• Xiao Ran collected Suzaku Kururugi from the Military Court and drove him toward the Council Hall, where Suzaku questioned his identity and kept quiet about his connection to Lelouch.
• Xiao Ran explained his opposition to sacrificing civilians, then named Suzaku his disciple and assigned him to the Special Administrative Zone to help finish adjusting Lancelot.

Xiao Ran defied Guildford’s attempt to take control of the Guard Force and personal guard, then concealed their clash from Euphemia. He explained that Suzaku Kururugi had become his disciple as a symbol of improving the lives of Area 11’s people.

• Xiao Ran handed Suzaku Kururugi over to Lloyd, who passed him to Cecil for a place in the Special Administration.
• Guildford told Xiao Ran he would serve as a Guest Official and demanded command of the Guard Force and personal guard, but Xiao Ran refused and warned him not to overstep.
• Guildford accused Xiao Ran of hiding his identity and bringing people into the Governor’s Mansion, then reported their confrontation to Cornelia by phone.
• Xiao Ran returned inside and reassured Euphemia that he and Guildford had parted amiably, leaving her unaware of their argument.
• Xiao Ran told Euphemia that Lloyd had asked him to bring Suzaku Kururugi to help record the Lancelot’s data, and that he had taken Suzaku as a disciple to set an example for Area 11.